Fungi 'massacre' in Italy claims victims

ROME, Aug. 29 (UPI) -- Mushroom hunting season in Italy is proving fatal for some, with 18 dead, mostly in accidental falls, in 10 days, officials said.

Known as the "fungailoli massacre," almost all the victims fell off cliffs or slopes in the northern Italian regions of Lombardy, Trentino-Alto Adige and Piemonte, La Repubblica newspaper reported.

In the latest case, a 65-year-old woman slipped into a ravine and died, the report said.

The staff of the Mountain Rescue and the Forestry Corps are warning fungi enthusiasts who venture into the woods to use caution and be properly equipped. "The (hikers) must wear shoes suitable for the soil," said Peter Bertolini, head of mountain rescue station at Morbegno, and hike with at least another person.

The Forest Rangers have developed a guide for those preparing to enter a forest looking for mushrooms:

-- First read up on the route and choose the paths suited to your skills.

-- Tell someone where you're going.

-- Go with another person.

-- Check the weather and don't linger anywhere that might attract lightning.

-- Choose the right clothes and equipment.

-- If you are unsure whether a mushroom is edible, check with an expert.